It is a limitation of a PWA. A native app (wrapper) will likely be coming though, and a custom Capacitor plugin could theoretically interface with the native API to switch out icons. Theoretically. No promises though :)

Quoting this comment by the dev

  • Fluid@aussie.zone
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    1 year ago

    I don’t understand why some users really want a native app? A webapp is better in almost everyway. You don’t need to build and maintain multiple pieces of software, it just works across multiple devices and configurations. You don’t have to install and give permissions to yet another piece of software on your device, creating yet another vulnerability. It’s like asking for betamax when DVDs exist. What’s a benefit of doing so, just that in comes up in the app store when searching?

    • body_by_make@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      1 year ago

      With a capacitor app it can be both a PWA and a native app from the same code base. This wouldn’t take away, only add possible functionality for those who choose to install it natively.

      There’s a lot of native functionality that a PWA cannot access, like app icon changing, certain gestures that Apollo took advantage of (tapping on the top to scroll to the top, for one), and some other things that have been requested.

    • Dark Arc@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Well… Part of that is just that web apps have much worse efficiency and performance compared to native apps. That’s not to say their performance and efficiency is bad, but a native app will beat a web app everytime. The DOM and JavaScript are just not great models in terms of efficiency and performance.

        • kryllic@programming.dev
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          1 year ago

          In my opinion, it’s been great and feels pretty close to native anyway. Some issues with the screen freezing when trying to scroll after swiping away from a post but other than that, it’s super nice. Plus updates are so quick to install, really like that too.

        • BURN@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Problematic

          I get lots of random freezes, actions not registering, etc

          Doesn’t make it unuseable, but it’s not a great experience

            • ryo@lemmy.eco.br
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              1 year ago

              The main issue is Safari, bugs in webkit bog everything down. And iOS is stuck with it.

            • BURN@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              No browser as far as I know. I installed the PWA and haven’t touched anything else.

              I’m on iOS exclusively with no plans to use a desktop interface

        • Dark Arc@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          I think it’s acceptable, though I am working on my own … for now experimental … Lemmy client in C++/Qt/QML … maybe eventually for desktop and mobile devices alike :)

    • Cloudless ☼@feddit.uk
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      1 year ago

      Many people have not heard of web apps, they do not know how to find or install web apps.

      Most of them are more familiar with the app stores. They are more comfortable using what they are familiar with. They might have been using the app store since the original Angry Bird was released.

      It is good to have choices.

      • fer0n@lemm.eeOP
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        1 year ago

        Yes, I think even if it’s just a wrapper and nothing else changes other than the app being in the App Store, that’s probably worth it because you’d get more users.

    • Pleonasm@programming.dev
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      1 year ago

      The user experience is nicer as a native app, if done right. With a PWA, you have to deal with anything crappy that the browser inflicts on you, and the developer largely can’t do anything about it. For example, Chrome sometimes just crashes or freezes entirely on me, which means Voyager can too.

      See elsewhere in this thread for examples of little things that stem solely from being a PWA .

      Don’t get me wrong, I think Voyager is great for a PWA and it probably gets a lot of value out of being a PWA making it easier for people to contribute. But it’s just not as good as native for me.

      • Fluid@aussie.zone
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        1 year ago

        I hadn’t no, but that’s cool! I’m not a developer, but seems like a useful tool.

    • LazaroFilm@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Most native apps are still JS in an app. Memmy is React for instance. So WefWef would be offered as both.

        • LazaroFilm@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Some functions are not open to PwA such as tap top of the screen to go back to the top, icon swapping, updates without deleting and re-installing (which deletes all you preferences) and some other iOS API functions.